SGL’s Shuttered Carbon Fiber Plant to Restart with €100 Million Investment
Apr 12,2026 | CarbonInn Composites
Part 1: Investment Background & Plant History
The SGL/Fisipe plant in Lavradio, Barreiro, Portugal, was once a major hub for carbon fiber production in Portugal and Europe.
| Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Originally established as a joint venture between Portuguese company CUF and Japan's Mitsubishi. It was a pioneer in Portuguese acrylic fiber production. |
| 2012 | The plant was acquired by global carbon fiber giant SGL Carbon group. |
| 2018 | SGL Carbon announced the closure of the continuous filament line and carried out deep restructuring. |
| 2025 | SGL Carbon further laid off 190 employees. |
| 2026 | SGL Carbon completely closed all operations in Barreiro. |
Why was it closed? Despite having a significant annual capacity (up to 50,000 tons of fiber), the plant suffered continuous losses. The rise of Asian competitors and changing market conditions gradually eroded its competitiveness.
Part 2: The Restart Plan & Strategic Vision
The project to revitalize the Barreiro industrial zone is being led by José Pedro Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Barreiro Bay Square. The core strategy is to restart production of high-performance carbon fiber, diversify markets, and enhance Portugal's influence in the European aerospace industry.
Key Priorities of the Plan:
| Priority | Action |
|---|---|
| Environmental Remediation | A 400-page technical report identified soil contamination in four areas. The first project phase will focus on pollution cleanup. |
| Technology Upgrade | Replace old equipment and introduce new manufacturing technologies. |
| Clean Energy Integration | Install photovoltaic panels and reactivate the old biomass power plant, aligning with Barreiro's waterfront redevelopment plan. |
| Talent Development | Partner with the Instituto Superior Técnico (Portugal's top engineering school) to link technical development with scientific training and applied research. |
Project Vision: "We want to move away from polluting industry and move towards a clean, efficient industrial model," said Rodrigues.
The industrial complex has a total area of approximately 200,000 square meters – ample space to combine production with technology experimentation and energy efficiency. The project leaders expect the new production lines to be officially operational within three to five years.
Part 3: Financial Outlook & Production Targets
The financial projections show the project aiming for significant annual revenue, driven by two main product lines.
| Product | Projected Annual Output | Projected Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| T700 Carbon Fiber | 1,500 tons | €51 million |
| Technical Acrylic Fiber | 2,500 tons | €12.5 million |
| Total | 4,000 tons | €63.5 million |
Target Markets: Aerospace, defense, and advanced composite industries using carbon fiber, Kevlar (aramid), and glass fiber.
Summary: A New Chapter for European Carbon Fiber?
The planned restart of the Barreiro carbon fiber plant is more than just a local economic development milestone. It represents a potential restructuring and upgrade of the global carbon fiber industry landscape.
After years of decline and closure, the injection of €100 million, combined with a focus on clean technology, advanced manufacturing, and talent development, could transform a former pollution source into a hub for high-performance materials. The success of this venture will be closely watched by the global composites community as it navigates supply chain shifts and growing demand for aerospace-grade carbon fiber outside of Asia.
We will continue to follow the progress of this project and share updates as they become available.
Republished by Carbon Inn for the global composites community.
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